Benjamin Franklin Masters

Benjamin F. Masters, Sr., age 91 of Kerrville, Texas went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 18th, 2023. Ben was born in Cleburne, TX, on March 28th, 1932, to Claude Pickering and Ola Mae (Rollins) Masters. As a young man, he worked alongside his father and brother on the family farm in Keene, TX, and attended Cleburne Public Schools until the age of 15 when Ben (with his mother’s permission) joined the U.S. Army in 1948. In the Army, he served his Nation as a paratrooper stationed in Japan.

Honorably discharged in 1950, Ben re-enlisted in the United State Air Force in 1951 and served until 1955 as an electronics intercept operator, attaining the rank of Sergeant. Returning to the civilian world, he attended North Texas State College and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education, graduating in 1959. He then managed several grocery stores, including HEB in San Antonio where his direct supervisor was Charles Butt, son of Howard Butt. Ben also owned his own grocery store in McGregor, Texas.

Returning to school, Ben attended Bowling Green University in Bowling Green, Ohio and graduated with a master’s degree in psychology. Back in Texas, he joined Region One Educational Service Center in the Rio Grande Valley, covering most of the counties in Deep South Texas. While at Region One, Ben was instrumental in developing the Service Center’s Special Education Program for teachers and retired from Region One in June of 1998 as Director of Special Educational as well as Director of Technology and Media.

Ben was an ardent student of Military History and was knowledgeable enough to teach a course in WW2 History at the collegiate level. In his younger days, Ben enjoyed camping, in the luxury of a van, as well as staying up to date with technology. He also doted on his Tuxedo Tom cat, Timmy. When Timmy behaved Ben called him “My Boy,” when he misbehaved, he called him “The Black Assassin.”

Ben is survived by his wife, Ludivina; five children, Ben Jr. (Carol), Bobby, Carolyn Franz, Byron Scott (Sarah), and Major; stepchildren, Marlene Morales, Martha McIntyre, and Leo Morales; sister, Stella Urban; 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two wives, Maxine, and Julia; his parents; brother, Claude; sister, Patsy; son, Steve.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Cantor Scott's Animal Rescue Center, 100 Springdale Rd., Suite A3-234, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, 08003.

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